Beautiful Things Don't Ask For Attention (Including Slam Poem - Designed)

I want to start this post off with two doses of honesty. 1: I love technology: computers, movies, video games, all that great stuff. 2: I spend too much time sitting in front of screens. It's slightly ironic that a film, in part, opened my eyes to this but that's beside the point. The movie I'm talking about is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. If you haven't seen it yet, go now before it's completely out of theaters and turns all 'ghost cat' for a few months during that in-between the silver-screen and home screen period.

Yes, the film has been called heavy-handed on the 'go live your life' mantra, and it is a bit on the formulaic side, but it more than makes up for both of these so-called 'issues' with it's genuine, inspiring heart and soul, as well as its beautiful cinematography and score/soundtrack.

Interestingly enough, before I even went to go see the film I had been ruminating on the idea of the inherent beauty in this world, and how we often miss it because we're so busy texting and computing and worrying about what we have to do next. The awakening, or renaissance (just because I love that word), came about when I started my car a few months ago and looked up to see that my windshield was covered in the most beautiful design of frost and snowflakes. It looked like someone had taken a spirograph and mathematically calculated out a design entirely unique and specific to my ol' Trailblazer's windshield.

This was a few days before I heard the news that Paul Walker had died. Scanning through some of the articles that were posted in the aftermath, I found two beautiful quotes from the much-loved celebrity, humanitarian, and generally all-around nice guy:

Yoko Shimomura

Since all of my writing time has been dedicated to a paper for my finals this week I thought I'd upload an older research paper I wrote about one of my favorite composers. It was written about a year or so ago but I think it's still pretty solid. Make sure to listen to the links afterward for the full experience. Enjoy.

Yoko Shimomura

 

What is commonly referred to as “classical” music has come a very long way. Starting from the humblest beginnings of simpler instruments and uncomplicated compositions in the medieval ages, through the more elaborate compositions of the Baroque period, to the unforgettable symphonies and movements of the Classical and Romantic periods; music clearly has a legacy as varied and evolving as history itself. It seems like this legacy has arrived today most commonly (to the mass public at least) alongside the mediums of theatre and film. Asking someone off of the street for the name of a late twentieth century composer, the most common reply would probably be film-scoring mastermind John Williams.

The Comeback Kid

Hello everyone!

I'm still here. I know you were worried about me, but I've been doing fine - just a lot of school work, homework, and work work. Luckily my classes are done by May 6th and then I'll have the WHOLE summer to post random little blogs, thoughts, ideas, videos, lists, and everything else that is awesome. In the mean time though I wanted to blog about two very random different things.

My Arms Get Cold...

Oops, it's once again been over a week since I last posted! I really do apologize for that. I started working on a "Most Anticipated Films of 2011" list but it's taking longer than I anticipated. That and I've actually been really busy with school work. I did somehow manage to play through the last couple hours of Dead Space 2 though and I have to say it's absolutely fantastic. The ending was very well done and it was just an incredibly solid game throughout. I think I can honestly say I've never felt such a real feeling of anxiety and dread while playing a game. The only negative thing I can say about it really is that I probably shouldn't have played on hard my first time through... x_.x

So yes Valentine's Day is quickly approaching. And you know what's sad, I've never had a girlfriend over Valentine's Day :( I know, hard to believe right? What's that? It's not, you say? Well you don't have to be so mean about it. In all honesty it definitely would be nice to find that special someone but I'm hoping that all this waiting will make it that much more worth it when I do find her. And it would be nice to have someone to help my arms from getting cold in this February air. Anyway, I plan on making a special little post on good ol' Saint Valentine's Day so make sure you check back then.

Umm... I think that's basically it. Feel free to comment about whatever comes to mind. Have a great weekend!

Top 10 Albums of 2010

The Top 10 Albums of 2010

I don't claim to be a musical entrepreneur nor do I claim to really know anything about the technically good qualities of an album but I do enjoy music of many genres and listen to a fair amount of songs every day. That being said, feel free to mock, laugh, agree - pretty much whatever you please - with the following 10 albums that were my personal favorites of the year.

11: Lights - Acoustic EP

I know, I know, an EP is probably not technically an album and that is the reason it's at number eleven. Regardless of this fact, however, I absolutely love these five songs and have listened to them numerous times in the past six months. If you haven't heard of Lights, or have only heard her debut album, I highly suggest you try out her acoustic EP, as it is fantastic!

Turn on the LIGHTS

Hey everyone, just a quick little update today because I'm waiting for a class to start and I have a bit of free time with my laptop.

So what's new? Let's see... well exams are coming up so I guess that's exciting or whathaveyou. Oh I'm also 3 seasons into Eureka (Syfy original) thanks to Netflix and I have to say it's pretty great (why else would I watch 3 seasons?). If you've never heard of it, it's a bit like Fringe meets Psych... weird science experiments but more light-hearted and funny. If that sound interesting I would definitely suggest it - oh and don't worry it's nothing like the Syfy original movies. (<- That link has hilarious but graphic content).

What else? Well I've still been playing Black Ops, Donkey Kong Country Returns, and a handful of other games. I might write up some reviews on those as well if I get enough hits and comments on the Kirby one (or if I'm just bored).

As far as the rest of life goes nothing too exciting, but by now you're probably pretty confused about the title of this blog so I'll explain it simply: Valerie "LIGHTS" Poxleitner is the most adorable human being on the face of the planet AND she's a fantastic musician AND she's from Toronto, Canada. So I'm pretty sure I'm in love.

If you haven't heard of her you need to listen and watch below.



And here is LIGHTS being ridiculously cute.